Officers critically injured in cruiser crash

By Joe GoldeenThe Record

STOCKTON, Calif. — Two Stockton police cruisers responding to the same call crashed in the middle of the Hammer and West lanes intersection shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday, causing the cars to go airborne and sending their two drivers to the hospital as they crashed into four other vehicles.

Both officers had to be pried from their mangled cruisers by Stockton firefighters using the Jaws of Life, according to witnesses. They were transported by ambulance to area hospitals with moderate to serious injuries, Stockton Police Department spokesman Officer Pete Smith said.